Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is an established technique for the permanent removal of thread veins (also called ‘red veins' or ‘broken capillaries') from the legs. A tiny needle is used to flush the vein with a sclerotherapy solution which makes the internal lining of the vein roughen and stick to its opposite side. This causes the blood flow through these unwanted and unneeded veins to cease. The blood is then re-absorbed by the body over a 6-8 week period.

Consultation

During the consultation you will be asked about any past or current medical conditions, and about any medication which you may be taking. The Sclerotherapist will use her judgement as to whether or not the veined areas are suitable for treatment. Some veins may be too fine for sclerotherapy, but may be suitable for Diathermy Cauterization (which will be explained in more detail if applicable).

The Application Of Sclerotherapy

Clients report finding that treatment is easily tolerable, and more comfortable than expected. A fine needle is used to flush the sclerosing agent through the veins, which are just under the surface of the skin. Sometimes, one insertion will clear part of a small vein, and sometimes it will clear several, much larger, strands of the vein. In many cases, large areas of both legs may be covered in a single session. A tiny crust of dried blood may form at some insertion sites, and so you may wish to wear trousers on the day of treatment. The area around the treated vein swells; this swelling subsides within between a few hours and a day or so. Initially the vein may look a little darker due to blood clotting. After about three days , the vein begins to fade as the blood is reabsorbed by the body. It usually takes 6-8 weeks for the vein to fade as fully as it is going to, as a result of any one particular treatment session.

Expectations of Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a professional minor cosmetic surgery procedure. The results depend on the individual healing response of each client.

Most clients are delighted with the results and feel more confident when unsightly veins that bothered them are removed or reduced to the point where they are no longer obvious.

• 4% of clients need only one treatment
• 16% of clients need 2 treatments
• 20% of clients need 3 or more treatments
• 60% of clients need 4+ treatments

Effects of Sclerotherapy

The aim of the treatment is to cut off the blood supply to the visible surface capillaries, in the hope that the blood supply will be redirected to flow through the normal, larger blood vessels under the skin. This is the most likely outcome as the blood will naturally follow the line of least resistance. Sometimes, due to the precise nature of an individual's circulatory system, a few blood vessels may appear. (An example of this is the occasional appearance of ‘matting' in respect of which, a plethora of fine veins may appear). Depending on their nature, the veins may disappear spontaneously after a few months or may be suitable for treatment at the next appointment. An individual who already has thread veins may, from time to time, find more appearing, whether or not they have had Sclerotherapy Treatment, as she is naturally prone to the condition.

Occasionally a little blood seeps out into the surrounding fat cells and a brown pigmentation mark results (like a freckle), which takes about 8-12 months to fade.

After Treatment Care

There is no recovery time required, therefore normal activities may be resumed immediately, except for the following:

Following treatment, nothing should be applied to the skin that may irritate or introduce infection for 7-10 days, so avoid hot baths, swimming, leg waxing, sunbathing and the application of creams.

Rigorous exercise causes vein dilation which could be detrimental to the outcome during the first 4-7 days after treatment.

Do not apply bandages to the area unless advised to do so.

In some cases you may wish to allow 6-8 weeks before a holiday if the treated area is going to be ‘on show'.

For further details of the full range of treatments, please phone 01935 873 456.